Portable monitoring device for remotely monitoring a medical device

ABSTRACT

There is provided a combination of a portable monitoring device ( 9 ) for remotely monitoring a medical device ( 1 ) for use in hospitals and the like and having a signal receiver for receiving a first wireless signal, and said medical device ( 1 ) in the form of a portable drip infusion set of the type comprising a liquid supply, a drip chamber downstream of said liquid supply for forming liquid drops, a flexible tube connecting said drip chamber with an injection needle and a signal emitter for emitting said first wireless signal. The infusion set ( 1 ) and monitoring device ( 9 ) each comprise printed circuit boards (PCBs) ( 33, 23 ) and comprise mutually interconnectible electric contacts ( 11, 11   a ). The infusion set ( 1 ) comprises an electronic circuitry that blocks programming of the infusion set ( 1 ) when the monitoring device ( 9 ) is not electrically connected to the infusion set ( 1 ).

The present invention relates to a combination of

-   -   a portable monitoring device for remotely monitoring a medical        device for use in hospitals and the like and having a signal        receiver for receiving a first wireless signal, and    -   said medical device in the form of a portable drip infusion set        of the type comprising a liquid supply, a drip chamber        downstream of said liquid supply for forming liquid drops, a        flexible tube connecting said drip chamber with an injection        needle and a signal emitter for emitting said first wireless        signal.

In connection with such medical devices used in hospitals it is aproblem that some of the devices are stolen which is financially harmfuland can be life threatening if the stolen device is required in anemergency or is in actual use connected to a patient.

Furthermore, it is also a problem that said medical device, whenprovided with means for programming the function thereof, such as a pushbutton, a switch, a keyboard, a data transmission receiver, a data inputport or the like, can be tampered with, and the function of the medicaldevice thereby can be altered by extraneous persons, which can entail aserious risk for a patient being treated by said medical device.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide means fordiscouraging theft of such a medical device and/or tampering with theprogramming of the function of said medical device by extraneouspersons.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by said monitoringdevice and said medical device comprising first and second sets ofelectrical contacts, respectively, for mutually electricallyinterconnecting said monitoring device and said medical device fortransmitting electronic data and/or electrical power between saidmonitoring device and said medical device, and said medical devicecomprising programming means such as a push button, a switch, akeyboard, a data transmission receiver, a data input port or the likefor programming first electronic circuitry controlling the function ofsaid medical device, said first electronic circuitry comprising blockingmeans for blocking said programming function of said programming meanswhen said monitoring device is not electrically connected to saidmedical device through said first and second electrical contacts.

Hereby, unauthorized programming or amendment of programming of themedical device operations is impossible without access to the monitoringdevice which ideally is in the hands of an authorized health careworker. Thus, there is no incitement to steal the medical device as itis useless without the monitoring device which will be remote from themedical device when it is deployed and in use.

Furthermore, the monitoring device may be used for transferringelectronic data to the medical device or receive and store electronicdata from the medical device as well as for receiving or transmittingelectric power from or to the medical device.

In the currently preferred embodiment of the invention

-   -   said monitoring device comprises:        -   a first housing, a signal receiver for receiving a first            wireless signal, a first timing device for measuring a first            time interval, preferably 30 seconds, an alarm device for            emitting a first alarm, second electronic circuitry            interconnecting said signal receiver, said first timing            device and said alarm device for causing said alarm device            to emit said first alarm if said first signal is not            received by said signal receiver at the end of said first            time interval, and a first battery for providing electric            energy to said signal receiver, said alarm device and said            timing device, and        -   said medical device comprising:        -   a second housing, a signal emitter for emitting said first            wireless signal, a second timing device for measuring said            first time interval, third electronic circuitry            interconnecting said timing device and said signal emitter            for causing said signal emitter to emit said first signal at            the end of said first time interval, and an electric power            supply, preferably a second battery, for providing electric            energy to said timing device and said signal emitter.

Hereby, if and when the medical device is displaced so far away from theintended place of use thereof that the medical device is out of thereceiving range of the signal receiver of the monitoring device, thenthe monitoring device will emit an alarm at the end of the time intervalafter it has received said first signal (a so-called hand shake signal)for the last time. If this time interval is short, for instance 30seconds, then it is possible to react quickly and have a better chancethan otherwise to stop the theft. In some cases, the theft takes placewhile the medical device is in use, and thereby the patient supposed tobe treated by the medical device may be harmed or placed in jeopardy sothat even if the theft is not prevented, at least it is registered thatthe medical device in question is not being used in the intended mannerand relevant steps can be taken to protect the patient in question.

In the currently preferred embodiment of the invention said alarm deviceis adapted for emitting a second alarm and said signal emitter isadapted for emitting a second wireless signal, said monitoring devicecomprising fourth electronic circuitry adapted for registering receiptof said second signal by said signal receiver and causing said alarmdevice to emit said second alarm if said second signal is received bysaid signal receiver, and said medical device comprising fifthelectronic circuitry being adapted for monitoring functional parametersof said medical device such as voltage of said power supply or secondbattery, any pre-determined output from said medical device or thefunction of said fourth electronic circuitry and further being adaptedfor registering deviations from pre-determined values of said functionalparameters and causing said signal emitter to emit said second signal ifsaid deviations are registered.

Thus, any malfunction of the medical device that is considered seriousenough to warrant an alarm will be brought to the attention of thehealth care person or persons monitoring the monitoring device such thatan appropriate reaction can take place to safeguard the patient inquestion.

In the currently preferred embodiment of the invention said monitoringdevice housing comprises an input port for receiving a data/electricalpower plug such as a USB plug, said input port being electricallyconnected to said first set of electrical contacts such that data andelectrical power can be transmitted to said medical device from saidinput port when said first and second sets of electrical contacts areinterconnected.

Preferably, said monitoring device and said medical device comprisefirst and second sets of attachment means, respectively, for detachablyattaching said monitoring device to said medical device such that saidfirst and second sets of electrical contacts are interconnected.

In the currently preferred embodiment of the invention, said first andsecond alarms comprise one or more of a sensory alarm such as avibrator, a visual alarm such as lamps of different colours and anaudible alarm.

In the currently preferred embodiment of the invention, said monitoringdevice housing comprises attachment means such as a clip for attachingsaid monitoring device to the apparel of a health care provider.

Advantageously, said monitoring device housing comprises means such aspush buttons or switches for manually interrupting said first and secondalarms.

In the currently preferred embodiment of the invention, said first andsecond signals comprise a code recognizable by said second and fourthelectronic circuitry of said monitoring device.

Hereby, a certain medical device will be “paired” with a certainmonitoring device which will allow several “pairs” of medical andmonitoring devices to be operational on the same premises withoutinterfering with one another.

In the currently preferred embodiment of the invention, said code isgenerated by sixth electronic circuitry of said medical device andtransmitted to said second and fourth electronic circuitry of saidmonitoring device through said first and second sets of electriccontacts.

In the currently preferred embodiment of the invention, said electroniccircuitry of the medical device comprises blocking means for blockingtransmittal of data and electrical power to said medical device if saidfirst and second electrical contacts are not in mutual electricalcontact.

Hereby, it is achieved that no unauthorized programming or amendment ofthe authorized programming may take place unless the responsible healthcare take connects the monitoring device to the medical device.Furthermore, the value of the medical device, if stolen, will bediminished as it cannot be used without a corresponding monitoringdevice.

The medical device and said monitoring device each comprise amicroprocessor arranged in a printed circuit board (PCB), saidmicroprocessors being in electrical contact for exchanging electronicdata and said medical device microprocessor controlling the operation ofsaid medical device.

In an advantageous embodiment of the combination according to theinvention the monitoring device microprocessor is pre-programmed totransmit solely one specific set of operating instructions to saidmedical device microprocessor.

In an advantageous embodiment of the combination according to theinvention, said housing of said monitoring device is provided with adisplay adapted for displaying information in a visual manner.

Preferably, said display is adapted to display information generated bysaid monitoring device microprocessor.

Advantageously, said signal emitter may be adapted for emitting a thirdWireless signal comprising operational data of said medical devicegenerated by said medical device microprocessor, and said display meansmay be adapted for displaying information based on said operational datatransmitted by said third wireless signal and received by said signalreceiver of said monitoring device.

Hereby, the responsible health care person can continuously remotelymonitor the operation of the medical device.

In some cases it may be an advantage that said medical device is adaptedto omit any one of said first, second and third signals. Hereby themonitoring device may be utilized solely to transmit operational data ora malfunction alarm or a hand shake or any combination of two of thesefunctions.

In a second aspect, the invention relates to a method of monitoring thefunction of a medical device for use in hospitals and the like and inthe form of a portable drip infusion set of the type comprising a liquidsupply, a drip chamber downstream of said liquid supply for formingliquid drops and a flexible tube connecting said drip chamber with aninjection needle, the method comprising the steps of:

-   -   providing a portable monitoring device able to receive wireless        signals from said medical device,    -   wherein said medical device and said monitoring device each are        provided with collaborating electrical contacts for establishing        direct electrical contact between said monitoring device and        said medical device for transmitting electrical energy and        electronic data, and wherein the functions of said medical        device are programmable only when said direct electrical contact        is uninterrupted.

In the currently preferred embodiment of the invention, the methodcomprises the further steps of:

-   -   causing said medical device to send a first wireless signal at        certain time intervals, preferably every 30 seconds, and    -   causing said monitoring device to emit a first alarm if said        monitoring device does not receive said first signal after said        time interval has elapsed.

In the currently preferred embodiment of the invention, the methodcomprises the further steps of:

-   -   causing said medical device to send a second wireless signal if        said medical device develops a malfunction,    -   causing said monitoring device to emit a second alarm if said        monitoring device receives said second signal.

In the currently preferred embodiment of the invention, the methodcomprises the steps of:

-   -   electrically connecting said monitoring device to said medical        device,    -   programming the functions of said medical device,    -   removing said monitoring device from electrical contact with        said medical device, and    -   monitoring said monitoring device so as to register whether an        alarm is emitted by said monitoring device.

In the currently preferred embodiment of the invention, the methodcomprises the steps of:

-   -   causing said medical device to generate a code,    -   transmitting said code to said monitoring device,    -   incorporating said code in said first and second wireless        signals.

Advantageously, said medical device comprises a first microprocessor forcontrolling the function of said medical device and said monitoringdevice comprises a second microprocessor adapted to communicate withsaid first microprocessor when said monitoring device is in electricalconnection with said medical device and the method according to theinvention comprises the steps of:

-   -   programming said second microprocessor,    -   electrically connecting said monitoring device with said medical        device, and    -   transmitting data from said second microprocessor to said first        microprocessor.

In a further embodiment, the method according to the invention maycomprise the steps of:

-   -   generating operating data regarding the functioning of said        medical device in said first microprocessor,    -   transmitting said operating data to said monitoring device,    -   storing said operating data in said monitoring device, and    -   transmitting said operating data from said monitoring device to        an electronic entity such as a PC.

Hereby the treatment of the patient may be recorded and entered into thepatient's medical records.

Advantageously, said monitoring device is provided with a display, themethod comprising the further step of displaying information relative tothe specific programming of said monitoring device.

Advantageously, said method may comprise the further steps of causingsaid medical device to transmit said operating data to said monitoringdevice by means of a third wireless signal and displaying said operatingdata by means of said display.

In some cases it may be advantageous that any one of said first, secondand third wireless signals is omitted. Hereby the monitoring method maybe utilized solely to transmit operational data or a malfunction alarmor a hand-shake or any combination of two of these functions.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to a monitoring device as setout above.

In a yet further aspect, the invention relates to a medical device asset out above.

In the following, the invention will be explained more in detail inconnection with the currently preferred embodiment thereof shown, solelybe way of example, in the accompanying drawings, where:

FIG. 1 is a schematic, perspective view of a combination according tothe invention with the monitoring device attached to a medical device inthe form of a portable drip infusion device which is monitored by themonitoring device,

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view corresponding to FIG. 1 with themonitoring device shown separated from the medical device,

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view corresponding to FIG. 2 but seenfrom another angle,

FIGS. 4-6 are schematic perspective views corresponding to FIGS. 1-3illustrating the supply of electrical power and/or data to themonitoring device and the medical device,

FIGS. 7-8 are schematic enlarged perspective views of the monitoringdevice with the bottom covering wall removed to show the interiorstructure,

FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective exploded view of the medical devicemonitored by the monitoring device,

FIGS. 10-12 are schematic, perspective views of three alternativeembodiments of a monitoring device according to the invention,

FIG. 13 is a larger scale schematic perspective view of theinterconnection of a monitoring device according to, the invention and apersonal computer (PC),

FIGS. 14-15 are schematic enlarges scale perspective views of a furtherembodiment of monitoring device according to the invention, seen fromthe top and the bottom, respectively, and

FIG. 16 is a larger scale schematic perspective view of a yet furtherembodiment of a monitoring device according to the invention, seen fromthe top.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, a medical device 1 in the form of a portabledrip infusion device has a housing 2 and two telescopically displaceablearms 3 carrying a gripping mechanism 4 for gripping a not shown dripchamber and sensors 4 a for sensing drops falling through said dripchamber. The device 1 has a display 5 for displaying informationregarding the function of the device. Push buttons 6, 7 and 8 areprovided for manually programming the function of the device, button 6being for decreasing flow of infusion liquid, button 7 being foractivating the device and button 8 being for increasing the flow ofinfusion liquid.

A monitoring device 9 according to the invention has a housing 10 andfour electrical contact pins 11 for electrically contacting fourcorresponding electrical contact plates 11 a arranged in a recess 12 inthe bottom of housing 2, the recess being adapted for receiving themonitoring device 9.

The monitoring device 9 is provided with three LED light emitters 13, 14and 15 adapted for emitting white, red and green light, respectively.The monitoring device is further provided with a clip 16 for attachingthe monitoring device to the front of a pocket or the like of a healthcare worker responsible for monitoring the medical device. A space 10 aon the housing 10 is provided for marking the monitoring device 9 withan erasable marker for instance to visually identify the medical devicewhich is being monitored by the monitoring device.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-6, the monitoring device 9 is further providedwith a socket for receiving a miniature USB plug 18 for supplyingelectrical power and/or data transmission from a cable 19 to themonitoring device 9/medical device 1 as explained more in detail in thefollowing.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrating the monitoring device seenfrom the bottom (with the bottom wall removed) and in storage mode andin active mode, respectively, the housing 10 contains a rechargeablebattery 20, a vibrator motor 21 and a vibrator 22, three LED lightemitters 13-15 (green, yellow and red, respectively), a printed circuitboard (PCB) 23, a battery contact plate 24 and an insulating plate 25attached to a push rod 26. A mini USB socket 17 is electricallyconnected to the PCB 23. The PCB 23 comprises a not shownmicroprocessor.

Two electrical contacts 11 are connected to the PCB 23, the other twoelectrical contacts are hidden behind the socket 17 and the battery 20and are also connected to the PCB 23. Two of the contacts 11 serve fortransmitting electrical power and two contacts 11 serve for datatransmission.

The push rod 26 has a telescopically displaceable portion 27 and ismounted on a displaceable plate 28. A switch 29 serves to stop thevibrator motor 21 when the plate 28 and rod 26 are displaced to theright from the position shown in FIG. 8 by finger pressure exerted bythe responsible health care provider as explained more in detail in thefollowing.

Referring now to FIG. 9 illustrating the portable drip infusion device 1with some of the different components thereof exposed in an explodedview, a front cabinet 30 is provided with the push buttons 6-8 and isassembled with a moisture insulating rubber seal 31 unto the main body32 of the device 1 with the display 5 received in apertures 5 a and 5 bin front cabinet 30 and insulating seal 31.

The main body 32 contains a printed circuit board (PCB) 33 comprising anot shown microprocessor for controlling the functions of medical device1, generating a code for the wireless signals, programming of thefunctions of the medical device 1, monitoring said functions to registerany malfunction of the device 1 and generating said second signal incase of a malfunction, measuring time for determining the emission ofsaid first signal and generating said first signal and generatingoperational data for being displayed in the display 5.

An audible alarm 34 is mounted on the PCB 33 and switches 6 a, 7 a and 8a are mounted on the PCB to be activated by the push buttons 6, 7 and 8,respectively.

Four electrical contacts 11 a for contacting the corresponding contacts11 of the monitoring device 9 are also connected to the PCB 33.

A rechargeable battery 35 is mounted between the main body 32 and a rearcabinet 36 containing elements for the function of the medical device 1such as a motor 37 and a gear box 38 for regulating the flow of infusionliquid.

In use, the monitoring device shown in FIG. 7 is readied for its firsttime use by pressing the portion 27 of the rod 26 such that the rod isdisplaced to the right in FIG. 7 whereby the insulating plate isdisplaced to the position shown in FIG. 8 where it does not preventcontact between the battery 20 and the battery contact plate wherebypower is now supplied to the PCB 23. Hereby, it is avoided that thebattery 20 is discharged during storage prior to first use of themonitoring device 9.

The monitoring device 9 is inserted in the recess 12 in the medicaldevice 1 such that the contacts 11 and 11 a are electrically connected.The mini USB plug 18 may, if necessary, be inserted in the socket 17 torecharge the batteries 20 and 35 and perhaps transmit electronic data tothe microprocessor of the medical device 1. The battery 35 of themedical device can only be recharged through the correspondingmonitoring device's USB plug 18.

The rate of flow of the infusion device 1 is set by means of the buttons6 and 8. A code is generated by the microprocessor incorporated in thePCB 33 of the medical device 1 and transmitted to and stored in themicroprocessor incorporated in the PCB 23 of the monitoring device 9through the contacts 11 and 11 a. This allows several different medicaldevices to be “paired” with each its own monitoring device in the samehospital.

The medical device 1 is activated by pressing the button 7 and themonitoring device is removed from the recess 12 and for instance clippedto the breast pocket of the responsible health care provider.

The green LED 13 blinks as long as the medical device 1 is functioningcorrectly and the battery 35 thereof has sufficient power.

Every 30 seconds the signal emitter incorporated in the PCB 33 of themedical device 1 sends a “hand shake” signal with the code incorporated,and as long as the medical device is within receiving range of thesignal receiver incorporated in the PCB 23 of the monitoring device andtherefore the signal is received by the signal receiver, the monitoringdevice will not react. However, if the hand shake signal is not receivedafter the elapse of 30 seconds after the last hand shake signal wasreceived, the vibrator 22 of the monitoring device will be activated andthe yellow LED 14 will start blinking which will indicate that themedical device has been moved out of range of the monitor device'ssignal receiver.

The health care provider can stop the vibrator by pushing on the pushbutton 28 thereby activating the vibrator interruption switch 22, butthe yellow LED 14 will continue blinking until a new hand shake signalis received.

The microprocessor incorporated in the PCB 33 of the medical devicemonitors the correct Operation of the medical device and the conditionof the battery 35. If a malfunction is detected, an alarm signal will betransmitted by the signal transmitter incorporated in the PCB 33. Whenthis alarm signal is received by the signal receiver incorporated in thePCB 23, the vibrator 22 will be activated, and the red LED 15 will startblinking. The vibrator can be deactivated by pushing the button 28, butthe red LED 15 will continue blinking until the monitoring device isinserted into the recess 12 of the medical device.

As a further embodiment of the combination according to the invention asan alternative to the medical device 1 being programmed with specificfunctional parameters drop size and flow rate by the user (nurse) whensetting up the treatment of a patient this programming step by the nursecan be eliminated.

In some hospital or clinic environments it is preferred only to use onespecific drop set or drip chamber and therefore only utilize onespecific drop size. Then there is no need for the user to programme dropsize into the medical device, and eliminating programming of drop sizealso eliminates the risk of programming the wrong drop size into thedevice.

In that case it would be an advantage to the user if the monitoringdevice used is able to programme the device with a specific drop sizeeven though the medical device is adapted to be programmed for severaldifferent drop sizes.

To achieve this advantage the microprocessor of the PCB 23 of themonitoring device is factory programmed to a specific drop size andmarked (see FIG. 10) or colour coded to indicate to the user whether themonitoring device will programme the medical device to: 10, 15, 20, 30,40, 50 or 60 drop/ml (or any other suitable number).

Of course, this alternative also applies to other programmable medicaldevices for use in a combination according to the invention.

In some environments only one type of infusion is performed andtherefore only one flow rate needs to be programmed, and in these casesit would be an advantage to the user if the monitoring device used isable to programme the medical device with a specific flow rate eventhough the medical device is adapted to be programmed for severaldifferent flow rates.

To achieve this advantage the monitoring device microprocessor isfactory programmed to a specific flow rate and marked (see FIG. 11) orcolour coded to indicate to the user whether the monitoring device willprogramme the medical device to: 10, 50, 100, 150, 200 or 250 ml/hr (orany other suitable number).

Alternatively, the monitoring device microprocessor can be factoryprogrammed with both a specific drop size and a specific flow rate incases where the user always uses the same specific drop set and only ata specific flow rate (see FIG. 12).

Reference is now made to FIG. 13-15. In some hospital or clinicenvironments, the doctor in charge of the treatment of a patient couldbe interested in programming the drop size and flow rate himself intothe microprocessor of the monitoring device to take the responsibilityfor programming the medical device off the nurse's shoulders.

In this version of the monitoring device it can be connected to a PC 40by inserting the USB plug 18 in the USB socket 17 (see FIG. 13), and thedoctor can program the monitoring device's microprocessor and when themonitoring device is electrically connected to the medical device, themedical device's microprocessor, so that the medical device will workwith a specific drop size and flow rate. Other functional parameters forthe medical device can also be programmed by a doctor (or nurse) in thismanner.

To make sure that a specific, individually programmed monitoring deviceis used for the treatment of the corresponding specific patient thedoctor can write the patient's name in the text field 10 a (see FIGS.14-15).

On the front of the monitoring device, the text “CUSTOMIZED” is appliedto indicate that the monitoring device is specific and cannot be usedfor any but an intended medical device.

The medical device 1 can only be stopped and started with the monitoringdevice 9 inserted in the medical device and in electrical contacttherewith. In hospitals and clinics where electronic journals are usedit could be an advantage if the monitoring device is able to record andstore data describing the treatment performed by the medical device.Then the doctor can connect the monitoring device via the USB connectionto a PC and read the treatment data stored in the monitoring device andsave them in the patients electronic journal.

Referring now to FIG. 16, in case the monitoring device 9 is programmed,for instance by a PC 40, it could be an advantage if a display 41 isprovided in the housing 10 of the monitoring device. This display showsthe data which the monitoring device has been programmed with. This willallow the medical device to perform more sophisticated treatments thanjust a fixed flow rate. For instance specify duration of the infusion,variation over time in flow rate, intermediated flow rates, Bolus option(for instance by pressing a specific key on the device) and bolus lockperiod.

The display can then show the specific features programmed, for instanceas remaining time if a time limited treatment is programmed, bolusoff/on if a bolus and a bolus lock period is programmed or a pause if anintermediate treatment has been programmed.

In FIG. 16, the display 41 displays the information “BOLUS-OFF”indicating that the bolus is in lock period.

In a further embodiment, the microprocessor incorporated in the PCB 33of the medical device registers various data regarding the operation ofthe medical device and this data is communicated to the signaltransmitter that transmits this data as a third signal to the monitoringdevice to be displayed by the display 41 such that the operation of themedical device can be monitored by a doctor or a nurse.

1. A combination of a portable monitoring device for remotely monitoringa medical device for use in hospitals and the like and having a signalreceiver for receiving a first wireless signal, and said medical devicein the form of a portable drip infusion set of the type comprising aliquid supply, a drip chamber downstream of said liquid supply forforming liquid drops, a flexible tube connecting said drip chamber withan injection needle and a signal emitter for emitting said firstwireless signal, wherein said monitoring device and said medical devicecomprise first and second sets of electrical contacts, respectively, formutually electrically interconnecting said monitoring device and saidmedical device for transmitting electronic data and/or electrical powerbetween said monitoring device and said medical device, and wherein saidmedical device comprises programming means such as a push button, aswitch, a keyboard, a data transmission receiver, a data input port orthe like for programming first electronic circuitry controlling thefunction of said medical device, said first electronic circuitrycomprising blocking means for blocking said programming function of saidprogramming means when said monitoring device is not electricallyconnected to said medical device through said first and secondelectrical contacts.
 2. A combination according to claim 1, wherein saidmonitoring device comprises: a first housing, a signal receiver forreceiving a first wireless signal, a first timing device for measuring afirst time interval, preferably 30 seconds, an alarm device for emittinga first alarm, second electronic circuitry interconnecting said signalreceiver, said first timing device and said alarm device for causingsaid alarm device to emit said first alarm if said first signal is notreceived by said signal receiver at the end of said first time interval,and a first battery for providing electric energy to said signalreceiver, said alarm device and said timing device, and said medicaldevice comprising: a second housing, a signal emitter for emitting saidfirst wireless signal, a second timing device for measuring said firsttime interval, third electronic circuitry interconnecting said timingdevice and said signal emitter for causing said signal emitter to emitsaid first signal at the end of said first time interval, and anelectric power supply, preferably a second battery, for providingelectric energy to said timing device and said signal emitter.
 3. Acombination according to claim 2, wherein said alarm device is adaptedfor emitting a second alarm and said signal emitter is adapted foremitting a second wireless signal, said monitoring device comprisingfourth electronic circuitry adapted for registering receipt of saidsecond signal by said signal receiver and causing said alarm device toemit said second alarm if said second signal is received by said signalreceiver, and said medical device comprising fifth electronic circuitrybeing adapted for monitoring functional parameters of said medicaldevice such as voltage of said power supply or second battery, anypre-determined output from said medical device or the function of saidfourth electronic circuitry and further being adapted for registeringdeviations from pre-determined values of said functional parameters andcausing said signal emitter to emit said second signal if saiddeviations are registered.
 4. A combination according to claim 2 or 3,wherein said monitoring device housing comprises an input port forreceiving a data/electrical power plug such as a USB plug, said inputport being electrically connected to said first set of electricalcontacts such that data and electrical power can be transmitted to saidmedical device from said input port when said first and second sets ofelectrical contacts are interconnected.
 5. A combination according toany of the preceding claims, wherein said monitoring device and saidmedical device comprise first and second sets of attachment means,respectively, for detachably attaching said monitoring device to saidmedical device such that said first and second sets of electricalcontacts are interconnected. 6-8. (canceled)
 9. A combination accordingto claim 3, wherein said first and second signals comprise a coderecognizable by said second and fourth electronic circuitry of saidmonitoring device.
 10. A combination according to claim 9, wherein saidcode is generated by sixth electronic circuitry of said medical deviceand transmitted to said second and fourth electronic circuitry of saidmonitoring device through said first and second sets of electriccontacts. 11-12. (canceled)
 13. A combination according to claim 1,wherein said medical device and said monitoring device each comprise amicroprocessor arranged in a printed circuit board (PCB), saidmicroprocessors being in electrical contact for exchanging electronicdata and said medical device microprocessor controlling the operation ofsaid medical device, and wherein said monitoring device microprocessoris pre-programmed to transmit solely one specific set of operatinginstructions to said medical device microprocessor. 14-17. (canceled)18. A method of monitoring the function of a medical device for use inhospitals and the like and in the form of a portable drip infusion setof the type comprising a liquid supply, a drip chamber downstream ofsaid liquid supply for forming liquid drops and a flexible tubeconnecting said drip chamber with an injection needle, the methodcomprising the steps of: providing a portable monitoring device able toreceive wireless signals from said medical device, wherein said medicaldevice and said monitoring device each are provided with collaboratingelectrical contacts for establishing direct electrical contact betweensaid monitoring device and said medical device for transmittingelectrical energy and electronic data, and wherein the functions of saidmedical device are programmable only when said direct electrical contactis uninterrupted.
 19. A method according to claim 18 comprising thefurther steps of: causing said medical device to send a first wirelesssignal at certain time intervals, preferably every 30 seconds, andcausing said monitoring device to emit a first alarm if said monitoringdevice does not receive said first signal after said time interval haselapsed.
 20. A method according to claim 19 comprising the further stepsof: causing said medical device to send a second wireless signal if saidmedical device develops a malfunction, causing said monitoring device toemit a second alarm if said monitoring device receives said secondsignal.
 21. A method according to claim 18 and comprising the steps of:electrically connecting said monitoring device to said medical device,programming the functions of said medical device, removing saidmonitoring device from electrical contact with said medical device, andmonitoring said monitoring device so as to register whether an alarm isemitted by said monitoring device.
 22. A method according to claim 18and comprising the steps of: causing said medical device to generate acode, transmitting said code to said monitoring device, incorporatingsaid code in said first and second wireless signals.
 23. A methodaccording to claim 18, wherein said medical device comprises a firstmicroprocessor for controlling the function of said medical device andsaid monitoring device comprises a second microprocessor adapted tocommunicate with said first microprocessor when said monitoring deviceis in electrical connection with said medical device. 24-27. (canceled)28. (A method according to claim 23 comprising the steps of: generatingoperating data regarding the functioning of said medical device in saidfirst microprocessor, transmitting said operating data to saidmonitoring device, storing said operating data in said monitoringdevice, and transmitting said operating data from said monitoring deviceto an electronic entity such as a PC, and causing said medical device totransmit said operating data to said monitoring device by means of athird wireless signal. 29-31. (canceled)